Chapter Six –
Last –
Severus woke up when he felt the wards alerting him that someone was flooing him. Groaning, he spied it was four in the morning. Putting a robe on, he went to see who the hell had decided to pay him a visit even before the sun was up. Tired and cranky Severus was ready to tear into whoever had dared to infringe on his privacy… when he saw the very last person he expected.
"Potter," he spat, shocked.
"Potter, what are you doing here?" Severus asked, too tired and surprised to coat his words with his usual venom.
"Sniv… Snape, move aside. I am coming through." Before Severus could protest James walked in, carrying Harry swaddled up in blankets. Severus once again opened his mouth to demand some answers when Harry began twitching and whimpering in James' arms.
"Shhhh…," James soothed him, "You are going to be all right. Daddy won't let anything happen to you, love."
Severus watched them, wondering why he was suddenly finding it so very difficult to breathe. Snapping out of whichever feeling had suddenly overcome him, he barked, "Potter, if you let me know the reason of your visit sometime before tomorrow, I will be grateful."
James turned towards him, glaring. "Can't you see something is wrong with Harry? Don't just stand there. Do something. NOW." His tense posture was screaming of worry and fear.
Severus stopped himself from rolling his eyes at the dramatic display. But he did let out a heavy sigh before ordering, "Bring him here."
James reluctantly put Harry down on one of the couches and removed the mounds of blankets swaddling him. Severus kneeled beside the couch and looked at the pair of wide green eyes regarding him curiously. A little fist shot out, caught one of his raven locks and started pulling it. Surprised, Severus chuckled softly and felt his heart melting a little.
Beautiful… So very beautiful you are, my child… I will never let that monster touch you. Even if that means that you will never call me 'Father'. Never know that you are a part of me…
Burying his damning emotions beneath his mask, Severus took his wand out. Instantly, he felt James stiffen beside him.
Anger spiked through Severus and as fast as a lightening, he sent a stinging hex at James. James ducked out of sheer reflex and whipped out his own wand, training it on Severus. He snarled in anger, "Do not fling curses around with my son in the room Snivellus, or I'll break your arm."
Severus growled, "And you… arrogant cur… Never again dare and imply that I am capable of harming my own son." As if I won't die for him. As if I am like my father…
xXxXxXxXx
Little Harry was not having a good time. His stomach kept hurting and he wished it would stop. He was tired and hungry and aching. He sent his feelings through the strange mark he had, clearly stating… 'Hurting. Make it stop.' Immediately, he felt his mark warming; sending him soothing pulses.
Soothed for the time being, he looked around searching for the one who always made him feel good. And found him standing with the other one. The quiet one. He liked the quiet one and wished he would pick him up in his arms.
Harry watched them pointing those stick like things at each other. Wanting one for himself, he raised his hands and the stick flew out of the quiet one's hand to his. He waved it around for a few moments but promptly lost interest when his stomach started hurting once again. 'Hurting again. Make it stop.'
xXxXxXxXx
Staring at Harry in shock James exclaimed, "Merlin, isn't he too young for accidental magic?" His eyes locked with Severus' and he looked away, embarrassed. He watched Severus go and reclaim his wand and once again kneel beside Harry. "Yes he is. But this only proves that he will grow up to be an exceptionally powerful wizard," Severus answered.
James nodded while feeling ashamed for tensing when Severus had pointed the wand at Harry. So he took a deep breath and said in a clear voice, "I am… sorry." After all he was many things, but never a coward!
xXxXxXxXx
It seemed to Severus as if it was his day to be shocked beyond words. First, a fantastic display of accidental magic from a child not even a month old. And now… never had he thought such a day might arrive when James 'Arrogant' Potter would say those words to him.
James felt his lips twitching "Don't be so shocked Snivellus. It was wrong of me to imply that you would have hurt Harry, especially when I brought him here myself. Just… don't expect it much."
"Don't Potter," Severus drawled in his smooth voice. "Never apologize for trying to protect him. It's your right, duty and privilege."
James could simply nod, acknowledging the truth in the sentence.
"What are his symptoms?" Severus asked in a soft voice.
"He had been restless the entire day, not letting anyone beside me hold him. Sometime after dinner, he started crying and whimpering. He also stopped feeding." James sighed and reached out to lightly rub his knuckles against Harry's cheeks. Harry immediately looked at him and started whimpering, wanting James to pick him up; but soon quietened and stared transfixed at Severus who started waving his wand in complex patterns while murmuring diagnostic spells.
xXxXxXxXx
"Is he all right? What is wrong with him? Do we need to take him to St. Mungo's?" James burst out, unable to contain himself any longer.
"Calm down Potter," Severus growled, "and stop hovering around like a mother hen. He is all right. He just has some stomach cramps. I'll get you a stomach soothing potion to apply hourly on his abdomen. He should be all right in a few hours."
James heaved a huge sigh of relief. Picking Harry up, he gently cradled him in his arms and murmured, "You hear that baby. Only stomach cramps. You scared me for a while there. Now we'll just have to get you some potions, and you'll be all right once again."
xXxXxXxXx
Lucius Malfoy woke up to a cold bed. Blinking, he got up and looked around for Narcissa. It was then he heard the faint sounds coming from the nursery. Alarmed, he went to inspect.
He found Narcissa holding a clearly agitated Draco in her arms. "What's the matter?" he asked, while going inside and lifting Draco up into his arms. Draco immediately started babbling, clearly trying to complain about something. Confused, he looked at Narcissa for guidance.
Sighing worriedly, she replied, "He has been irritated throughout the whole day. I diagnosed him myself several times but still… could find nothing wrong with him."
Frowning, Lucius started humming soothing a tune. After a while Draco quietened and finally fell asleep.
xXxXxXxXx
Harry had finally fallen asleep after the stomach soother was applied on him. No longer worried, James stood up to leave, "Thank you, Sni… Snape. I'll take your leave now…"
"Potter," Severus cut him off, "sit down. There is something important you have to know. I was going to inform you and Dumbledore after the Order meeting but… the sooner the better."
James sat down once again. He instinctively knew he was not going to like whatever Severus was going to tell him. He controlled his racing heart and listened attentively…
… to be continued.
So, did you all like this chapter? Let me know. Plzzzz…. review!:))